Method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from call waiting interruptions to modem communications

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from call waiting interference to data communications is disclosed. In a system wherein a first party communicates with a second party via a telecommunications link, the telecommunications link may be disrupted by a third party's attempt to call the first or second party. The present invention detects such a disturbance on the telecommunications line and allows the first or second party to answer the call from the third party. The invention re-establishes communications after the call with the third party is completed.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a real-time video game environment including a first computer system participating in a real-time video game with a second computer system via a telephone line, a method comprising the steps of: said first computer system detecting a call waiting signal on said telephone line during said real-time video game with said second computer system, said call waiting signal indicating a third party attempting to establish communication with a user of said first computer system via said telephone line;   in response to detecting said call waiting signal, said first computer system sending a predetermined touch tone signal to said second computer system, indicating that said real-time video game has been disrupted, said predetermined touch tone signal being selected from a set of touch tone signals exclusive of standard touch-tone telephone signals;   said first computer system suspending said real-time video game and terminating said communication with said second computer system; and   said first computer system generating a prompt, wherein an activation of said prompt re-establishes communication with said second computer system and unsuspends said real-time video game.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined touch tone signal is a Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of detecting said call waiting signal includes using a series of filters to determine if a spike signal is present on said telephone line at a predetermined frequency known to correspond to a call waiting signal. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3, wherein said prompt consists of an icon displayed on a display of said first computer system. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step of using said series of filters includes using two of said filters to determine if energy is present on either side of said predetermined frequency.